Aug 25, 2012 9:39 AM

Today I finished my 9 week running program C25k! When I started this program I could barely run for 60 seconds and today I ran for 36 minutes without stopping! Now I just keep working to improve. Next on my list is to actually run a 5k race! I am not sure which one though. Komen "Race For The Cure" is in October but that is a huge race to do as a first one. In November the "Hear In The Mesa 5k" is being held right behind where I work. Decisions, decisions! I would love to hear about any other races anyone might know of around Mesa, AZ!

I have a question I am into about 5 weeks now this yesterday was hard I did just as much walking as running very humid here in central FL not sure where you are did you stay by the book schedule or did you go beyond I am finding now I am just running as far as I can and then maybe walk 1-2 min and run again as long as I can doing about 40 min. with 3 miles do you suggest I get back on the schedule? did you ever find days were you were falling behind & not such good days? Just looking for a good advise for a newbie- thanks

I have a question I am into about 5 weeks now this yesterday was hard I did just as much walking as running very humid here in central FL not sure where you are did you stay by the book schedule or did you go beyond I am finding now I am just running as far as I can and then maybe walk 1-2 min and run again as long as I can doing about 40 min. with 3 miles do you suggest I get back on the schedule? did you ever find days were you were falling behind & not such good days? Just looking for a good advise for a newbie- thanks

gogolegs...Week 5 is tough...physically and mentally. I am in Arizona and it is our monsoon season, so while it was humid for me (60 to 75%) it is nothing to what you get in Florida. My best advice is to stick with the program as it is written. I went by times rather than the distances. So if the program called for 20 minutes or 2 miles I ran for the 20 minutes. I am NO WHERE CLOSE to a 10 minute mile yet. It is designed to bring you along gradually to lessen soreness and injuries.

Instead of going above what the program called for, on a couple of the off days I started doing some light cross training to strengthen my core and give my legs a rest. You will most definitely have good days and bad days. I actually learned more on the bad days because while my body didn't feel like continuing I forced my mind to keep pushing. I wrote about htis on my blog http://zekerunning.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/some-days-im-just-mental/ I was fortunate in that I was able to complete the program without having to repeat any days or fall behind, but there is absolutely no problem in doing that. I did not appraoch this as a one and done program, I used it to launch what I hope will be a lifetime activity so if I had to repeat or start over in the grand scheme of things that would be okay.

Zeke, congratulations on finishing C25K and good luck on that first 5K (the first of many). You are right on two important points. First, this is the beginning of what you want to become a lifetime activity. Second, cross-training with the emphasis on core strengthening is vital. Strengthening those muscles will help your posture and that in turn will let your entire body share the stresses of running.

Since I'm in Illinois, I can't help you pick that first race, but I'm sure there are lots from which to choose. Ask around at your local running stores to see which they recommend.

--Steve

Completed in 2012:

The Qualifier HM, Midland MI, May 2012, 2:58, 80+ degrees

Dam to Dam 20K, Des Moines, IA, June 2012, 2:17, PR for this race

Garry Bjorklund HM, Duluth, MN, June 2012, 2:20

Fox Valley HM, St. Charles, IL, 9/16/12, 2:23

Des Moines HM, 10/21/12, 2:19

Tentative plans for 2013:

Wisconsin (Half) Marathon, Kenosha, WI 5/4/2013 (registered)

Dam To Dam 20K, Des Moines, 6/2/2013 (registration opens March 20th)

Grandma's (Half) Marathon, Duluth, MN, 6/22/2013 (if I get picked again in the lottery)

Congrats! I finished on Thursday (September 6). I have signed up for three 5ks (one at the end of September, one at the end of October, and a Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble). Looking forward to what is hopefully going to be a lifetime activity!

Thank you KB & Laura. Congrats on Finishing (or soon finishing) the C25K program. Now the hard part is just to keep running and improving for all of us. I have to admit I NEVER thought I could ever enjoy running so much!

Congrats on graduation. I'm in Week 6 also in Arizona, San Tan Valley. I know the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k is coming up in December, I was thinking about that one for my first. There is also a great running store in Tempe called Sole Sports Running Zone which has a list of local races. They also have some really helpful staff there who sold me a great fitting pair of shoes. Good luck, I'm going to keep an eye on this thread and see if anyone else has good ideas about what's coming up.